Date: 01/02/2004

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THE Old Mutual MTN ScienCentre offers o mind-bending array of over 150 science and technology displays, as well as special educational programmes and activities for KZN schools. In the first term, ScienCentre is offering entertaining educational science shows to all visiting schools. There are also special educational programmes being run for Heart Week (9-13 March) and Water Week (15-19 March).

Interactive educational workshops offered throughout the first term include DNA bec+ective Workshops, Young Engineers Workshop, Sunstep Electronic Workshops, and Natal Flight Academy Paper Plane and Aerodynamics Workshops.

The ScienCentre is also running exciting high school competitions for Grade 10 and 11 learners. The first is a debate competition on the moral and ethical issues surrounding Biotechnology. There will be cash prizes totalling R5 000 for the winners.

The second is the Science of Sound Competition sponsored by the Shuttleworth Foundation, starting in March. It is unique in that it is not only a sound engineering and technology education programme which teaches learners how to make their own music on computers, but it is a local competition. The winner will win a Sound Technology course and his/her song on a CD.

Another unique programme the ScienCentre offers is the School Ed- Venture Challenge. This programme offers learners an exciting and unique way to learn scientific and life-skill concepts.

The learners partake in a combination of activities at Gateway: solving mind-bending puzzles in the ScienCentre, surfing at the Wave House, climbing the Rock indoor climbing wall and Tenpin bowling.

After performing each challenge, the science behind each activity is explained and educational worksheets supplied.

To find out more about all these programmes phone the ScienCentre on (031) 566 8040